Is sociology a science?

Question 1

Who believe sociology can and should be a science?

Answer 1

Positivists- Durkheim, Marx, Weber (started writing in enlightment period)
Bring true, objective knowledge of the same type found in natural sciences

Question 2

Key features of Positivist approach

Answer 2

• Reality exists inside and independently of human mind
• Observable facts that exist independently in the individual
• Society is an objective factual reality. ‘Real thing’ made up of social facts that exist ‘out there’.
• Study like natural sciences and come up with cause&effects to think of ways to help society

Question 3

What did Comte argue?

Answer 3

Application of natural science methodology to study of sociology, based on empirical evidence + objectivity= ‘positive science of sociology’.

Question 4

What did Marx claim?

Answer 4

His theories of class struggle revolution + transition to community were based on cause&effect theories established by application of scientific method to historical + contemporary empirical data.

Question 5

Social facts

Answer 5

Phenomena that exists outside individuals and independently of their minds, but which act upon them in ways which constrain or mould their behaviour

Question 6

What did Durkheim believe?

Answer 6

Positive approach with fundamental rule: ‘Consider social facts as things’. Sociology rarely produces facts that are precise and repeatable as those produced by natural scientists.

Question 7

What method do positivists believe makes it possible by using?

Answer 7

Hypothetic deductive method

Question 8

What are the 4 features to the hypothetico deductive model?

Answer 8

1. Human behaviour response to observable facts= can be explained in terms of cause & effect relationships which can help predict and guide social policies
2. Direct observation&quantitative statistical methods=precise statements on facts
3. Research focus on social causes of events in society, testing hypothesis, D tried this in suicide study
4. Focus should be on social institutions and structure, not individuals

Question 9

What is verificationism?

Answer 9

Using inductive reasoning we can develop a theory that explains all our observations so far
When observations confirm or verify theory can claim discovered truth in form of a law
=Confirming existence of a general law

Question 10

6 reasons on why it’s difficult to copy methodology of natural sciences

Answer 10

1. Problem of prediction
2. Artificiality
3. Ethical issues
4. Hawthorne effect
5. Validity
6. Empirical observation

Question 11

What is the Hawthorne effect?

Answer 11

People being interviewed or observed may become embarrassed, more defensive and therefore act differently as have been selected for study. Results then won’t give true picture of how people behave in society.

Question 12

What did Popper suggest?

Answer 12

Empirical observation- capable of being tested against evidence derived from systematic observation

Question 13

Popper’s features of the scientific method

Answer 13

1. Hypothesis formation- possible cause of phenomeon
2. Falsification- always trying to prove theory wrong
3. Use of empirical evidence- Has to be able to be falsified by empirical evidence
4. Replication- Should be able to repeat it, prove it with empirical evidence
5. Accumulation of evidence- Establish cause&effect
6. Prediction
7. Theory formation- If hypothesis is valid & not falsified can come up with scientific theory
8. Scrutiny- Open to scrutiny to be falsified

Question 14

Social influences on scientific research

Answer 14

Time and money
Desire for promotion and success
Whoever is paying for research
Theoretical perspective
Whoever is paying for research
Pressure to publish and deadlines

Question 15

Positivists conclusions

Answer 15

Argue sociology should be a science and can be if it searches for explanations by study of social facts following as closely as possible the detached, objective, empirical and quantitative methods

Question 16

Interpretivists conclusions

Answer 16

Argue can’t be a science due to the different nature of the social world, unpredictable humans, need to explore subjective minds and meanings to actions

Question 17

Realists conclusions

Answer 17

Argue both positivists and interpretivists have incorrect understanding of what science is and that it actually deals with both observable empirical data and hidden underlying structures.

Question 18

Social constructionists and postmodernists

Answer 18

Suggests what counts as science is a product of a wide range of social influences, that scientists often don’t live up to own criteria of ‘good science’ and no objective science or scientific method

Question 19

What objectives must sociology reach to be regarded as scientific?

Answer 19

• Value freedom
• Objectivity
• Use of systematic research to collect evidence
• Analysis and evaluation of data and hypothesis in light of evidence and logical argument
• Findings should be open to inspection, criticism, debate and testing